In response to Rodney Diehl's interest in collector profiles, the first
thing that sparked my curiosity is: Why one would anyone convert an
Ampico to play only 88-note rolls?  This is like converting a color
television to black and white.

In any event, my profile might fall into an interesting mixture from
each category.  I agree that I am considered somewhat of a
perfectionist.  I find it annoying to hear an Ampico capable of extreme
beauty sounding like a neglected, out-of-tune barroom piano powered by a
thrashing machine.

I am an Ampico roll collector, because I enjoy a variety of good music,
combined with a touch of gadget freak, because I respect and enjoy
well-designed and well maintained mechanical devices.

Impress friends?  Trying to educate, might be a better term.  Being
involved with mechanical music for over fifty years, I have learned that
very few people want to be educated or impressed, or are the least bit
interested in good music.  If you doubt this, test them!  Ask, "What
kind of music do you like?"  The answer usually is a weak, "Oh ... all
kinds."  Select a music roll that you think they might enjoy and play it
for them.  Observe their reaction.  Do they sit quietly and listen, or
do they fidget and interpret the first musical notes as a signal to
continue talking, louder?

Ninety-five percent of the time, they will start talking on a subject
far from music, such as: a great sale on vegetables at the local
supermarket, or how wonderful their grandchildren are doing in finger-
painting class. When this occurs, you can be certain that they are
musically illiterate and have made fraudulent claims to being music
lovers.  In this case, save your time and effort.  Simply turn off the
music.  They will not notice.  They will be relieved of the competition!

Ambivalent?  Yes it's there, and you know what?  The darn thing still
works after all these years.  It's my television set!

Bruce Clark